Presence

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:38-42

Leonard Gautlier c.1580

What is presence?

What is it to be entirely captive to the moment. To the person you were with; the place where are you; the time you are in.

To God.

To not be captive to worries and distractions. To the last sound byte or social media ding.

I think presence has always been difficult, but it is entirely more so in this over-connected world in which we live.

What are the ways in which you practice presence? Moments in your life where you, like Mary, can sit at the feet of Jesus and just listen?

Or sit with a friend and not have your thoughts somewhere else?

Or hear a song and sing it with your whole self?

Presence - real presence - I think is a hop skip and a jump from real joy. For many of us (me included) the quest for it takes practice. And practice. And practice!

So take a moment now. Look in front of you. Shut your eyes. What do you hear? Who are you with? What do you smell? Keep them in focus as you breathe in deeply the love of God.

Sit quietly and feel God's infinite presence. Amen